B/R Gossip Roundup: David De Gea in Line for Payday, City Eye Kevin De Bruyne
What would it take for Manchester United to keep David De Gea at Old Trafford?
Could the goalkeeper command £150,000 per week? What about £200,000?
The Spanish shot-stopper leads this week's edition of the B/R Gossip Roundup after reports linked De Gea with a big-money payday at Manchester United. But even if that rumour is true, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll stick around at Old Trafford forever.
Also in this week's roundup, we have news on Rickie Lambert, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and more. Keep reading for all the gossip.
David De Gea Deal Will Do Little to Quell Speculation
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David De Gea has taken up plenty of column inches in the past few months, both for his stunning performances for Manchester United and because of speculation about his long-term future at the club.
Real Madrid reportedly have a long-standing interest in the Spanish 'keeper, and the Express’ John Richardson recently wrote that De Gea was “torn between a return to Spain and accepting a hugely improved £200,000-a-week contract to stay at Old Trafford.”
It seems that he will stay, with the Sun’s Alan Nixon using a play on words, "David De Stayer," to reveal that the 24-year-old will ink a new two-year deal to remain at Old Trafford.
If the report is true, the length of the deal will hardly quell the speculation surrounding De Gea.
The deal will hand De Gea a bumper pay increase, but it will not strengthen United’s position, as a two-year deal hardly ties him to the club for the long term.
Madrid may well want De Gea this summer, but the two-year deal may persuade them to bide their time and pounce further down the line.
Believability Meter: High
It does seem likely that De Gea will commit to a new deal at United, but expect the speculation surrounding his future to continue if he only pens a two-year commitment.
Chelsea Link with Rickie Lambert Could Benefit Blues
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There might have been a wave of surprise around on Tuesday morning as Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror reported a link between Rickie Lambert and Chelsea.
The Liverpool striker deserves some sympathy because his dream move to his boyhood favourites has resulted in sitting around on the Anfield bench.
But the form of the 33-year-old when he has played this seaon has not gone unnoticed by Jose Mourinho, who is considering the future of veteran Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.
Lewis writes:
"The newly crowned champions had the 33-year-old Liverpool striker watched as he played the whole of Saturday’s 2-1 win over QPR.
The former Southampton striker joins Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor on the Chelsea shortlist to replace 37-year-old Drogba—third choice behind Diego Costa and Loic Remy—who is out of contract at the end of the season.
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To the external eye, this rumour might not stand up to much scrutiny, but Drogba's physical presence is mirrored by that of Lambert, who is four years younger than the Blues legend.
It seems likely Lambert will leave Anfield this summer, and for a physical forward with Premier League experience, he will not be short of suitors. We shouldn't rule out Chelsea as being one of those.
Believability Meter: Medium
Ignore the fact that he has been playing second fiddle to Mario Balotelli this season, Lambert is one of the better English forwards in the top flight.
This rumour might be the work of a representative preparing the ground for a summer transfer, but Mourinho is canny enough to recognise a bargain.
Derby Manager Steve McClaren's Rejection of Newcastle Job Understandable
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No matter what you think of Steve McClaren following his tenure with England, there can be no argument that he knows his way around the top two tiers of English football.
The Derby County boss might have seen a late-season collapse cost the Rams a play-off place, a particularly galling experience after missing out on the Premier League in the Championship play-off final last year.
McClaren had been strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United in recent weeks, and Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror reported this week that the former Middlesbrough manager would reject the Tyneside club:
"The former England manager has been heavily linked with the Newcastle United job in recent weeks with the club spiralling toward relegation.
However, after watching his Rams side miss out on a place in the Championship play-offs, McClaren is determined to put matters right at Derby next season.
He will now hold talks with the club's bosses to discuss pre-season plans as well as summer transfer targets.
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And who can really blame McClaren for ruling himself out of taking over the Magpies? He remains in charge of a team with a steady ownership, while Newcastle are in danger of slipping out of the top flight unless they arrest their current slump.
Until Newcastle's fate is known, there will be no point in owner Mike Ashley and his board pursuing managerial targets.
Believability Meter: Low
Newcastle's slump in recent weeks has been truly alarming. When Alan Pardew left St James' Park for Crystal Palace after a concerted campaign for his removal by some supporters, the Magpies looked to be safe.
But Tyneside is the last place any manager will be looking to at the moment, as McClaren has proved, per BBC Sport.
Ilkay Gundogan-Mario Gotze Swap Between Bayern and Dortmind Never Likely
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German newspaper Bild fanned some flames this week by suggesting a rather controversial swap deal could be on the cards.
After Borussia Dortmund announced midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had decided to leave the club, the newspaper (via talkSport) suggested a switch to Bayern Munich with Mario Gotze returning to the Westfalenstadion as part of the deal was on the cards.
Before the Bild report was published, Bleacher Report's Clark Whitney claimed a move for Gundogan would not be a bad one for Bayern:
"There is the possibility of Gundogan's skill set clashing with that of the well-established Thiago, but that obstacle is no more substantial than fitting into a completely foreign system with players trained in an entirely different brand of football.
And if Guardiola has to choose one, Gundogan has every chance of being the preferred choice.
In the 2012-13 campaign he proved that, at his best, he can be the world's best in his position.
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However, two questions about this rumour need to be answered.
Would Borussia Dortmund really want to sell another asset to Bayern after the losses of Gotze and Robert Lewandowski to their Bundesliga rivals in the past two years?
And would Dortmund supporters, many of whom have jeered Gotze since his move was confirmed before the end of the 2012-13 season, reported by Metro, accept the 2014 World Cup winner back into their ranks?
The answer to both questions is likely to be a resounding "no."
Believability Meter: Low
Gundogan might be on his way out of Dortmund, but the Germany international will not be short of suitors from whom the Westfalenstadion club can prise a serious transfer fee.
Gotze might have slipped from favour under Pep Guardiola this season, but the German champions will be in no rush to lose him just yet.
West Ham Interest in David Moyes to Replace Sam Allardyce Is Like-for-Like
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Further proof that the summer transfer window is not just about players came courtesy of Andy Dunn of the Sunday Mirror this week.
Dunn reported that former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes is likely to succeed Sam Allardyce at West Ham United in the summer:
"While former Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes insists he is revelling in his time in La Liga, his achievement in stabilising a [Real] Sociedad side who looked bound for relegation when he took over has been seen locally as little more than the minimum requirement.
And while he has created a decent impression with the Basque club, he is not seen as a long-term option.
That has hardened Moyes’ determination to make a Premier League comeback sooner rather than later.
And West Ham’s owners—judging Moyes on his record and work at Goodison Park, rather than during his 10-month stint at Old Trafford—see him as a good fit should they decide to call time on Sam Allardyce’s reign at Upton Park.
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Allardyce has appeared to be on shaky ground for over a year now, with some West Ham supporters unhappy with his direct style of play before the club owners called for a change in tactics last summer, as Dominic Fifield of the Guardian reported at the time.
Despite Allardyce keeping the Hammers in the top half of the Premier League throughout, the club are keen to fill the Olympic Stadium once they move in ahead of the 2016/17 season, notes Dunn.
But does Moyes, who was renowned for his focus on defensive stability during his time at Goodison Park, really represent a major change in style from Allardyce?
Moyes should not be judged on his ill-fated stint at Old Trafford in this instance, and it is understandable that his turning Everton into regular top-half finishers interests West Ham, but his tactics are not a million miles from those employed by Allardyce.
Believability Meter: Medium
If West Ham are looking for a manager to steady the ship, Moyes is the man, but don't they already have that with Allardyce?
It would be a strange switch if the east London club are looking for free-flowing attacking football on a weekly basis.
Bournemouth 'Welcomed' to Premier League with Eder Transfer Link
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No sooner had Bournemouth confirmed their promotion to the Premier League than they were being linked with players across the continent.
And according to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph, the Cherries are weighing up a move for Sporting Braga and Portugal striker Eder.
Law claims the South Coast club have made a £5 million move for Eder, who is 27 years old:
"A number of established Premier League clubs, including Southampton, have been tracking Eder over recent months, but Bournemouth have attempted to jump to the front of the queue by making the first offer.
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"Eder is a Portuguese international and played in last summer’s World Cup. He has scored 23 goals in 44 league starts form Braga and is a powerful frontman.
Bournemouth’s bid for 27-year-old Eder is not thought to be linked to the future of striker Callum Wilson, who has caught the attention of a number of Premier League clubs with his form this season.
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It is interesting to see Callum Wilson's name mentioned in the report, with the man who spearheaded Bournemouth's rise to the top flight linked with established Premier League clubs.
The Championship winners are about to find out life in the English top flight is rather different to their experiences in the lower leagues, and this link with Eder sounds like the work of a representative ensuring the player's availability is known.
There is no doubt that Eder is a talent, and other top-flight sides will be able to offer more than the reported £5 million offer from the Dean Court outfit.
Bournemouth would be better served keeping hold of Wilson than becoming embroiled in the high-stakes gambling in the transfer market.
Believability Meter: Medium
It is easy to believe Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is already planning for next season, but this link with Eder has all the hallmarks of an initial interest alerting larger clubs.
The Cherries might have get used to this.
Man City Will Have to Pay Big Money for Kevin De Bruyne
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Manchester City are willing to pay Wolfsburg £30 million for attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, according to John Richardson of the Sunday Express.
De Bruyne, 23, joined Wolfsburg in January 2014 after failing to secure regular first-team football at Chelsea. The Belgian is reportedly seen as the ideal player to liven up City's ageing squad, and according to the story, international team-mate Vincent Kompany has been trying to convince De Bruyne to join him at Eastlands.
Richardson adds that City could offer striker Edin Dzeko to "sweeten" the deal.
Believability Meter: Medium
City no doubt would like to sign De Bruyne, who would liven up the side with his attacking talents, but would Wolfsburg sell? And what price would they demand if so?
De Bruyne has played a crucial role in Wolfsburg's success this season, so it's no surprise that the Neil Moxley at the Daily Mirror has reported that City will have to pay £45 million to acquire the player.
